title: The effects of a constant sprint-to-rest ratio and recovery mode on repeated sprint performance.
abstract: It is unclear if a constant sprint-to-rest ratio allows full performance recovery between repeated sprints over different distances. This is important for the development of sprint-training programs. Additionally, there is conflicting evidence on whether active recovery enhances sprint performance. Three repeated sprint protocols were used (22 × 15, 13 × 30, and 8 × 50 m), with each having an active and passive recovery. Each trial was conducted with an initial sprint-to-rest ratio of 1:10. Repeated sprints were analyzed by comparing the first sprint to the last sprint. For the 15-m trials, there were no significant main effects for recovery or time and no significant interaction. For the 30-m trials, there was no main effect for recovery, but a main effect for time (F[1,10] = 15.995, p = 0.003; mean difference = 0.20 seconds, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.09-0.31 seconds, d = 1.4 [large effect]). There was no interaction of recovery and time in the 30-m trials. For the 50-m trials, there was no main effect for recovery, but a main effect for time (F[1,10] = 34.225, p = 0.0002; mean difference = 0.39 seconds, 95% CI = 0.24-0.55 seconds, d = 1.3 [large effect]). There was no interaction of recovery and time in the 50-m trials. The results demonstrate that a 1:10 sprint-to-rest ratio allows full performance recovery between 15-m sprints, but not between sprints of 30 or 50 m, and that recovery mode did not influence repeated sprint performance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Sport, Health and Exercise Science, The University of Hull, Kingston upon Hull, United Kingdom. g.abt@hull.ac.uk
authors.forename: Grant
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Abt
authors.forename: Jason C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Siegler
authors.forename: Ibrahim
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Akubat
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Castagna
mesh_terms: D056352:Athletes; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001639:Bicarbonates / Q000097:blood; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid / Q000097:blood; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D012146:Rest / Q000502:physiology*; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D001639:Bicarbonates; D019344:Lactic Acid